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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Ellie remembers that Marion often said that all people are equal, as they all do what?

2. In what group of people does Carlton feel he does not belong?

3. When Ellie's father comes home, what does she tell him?

4. How is Ellie affected by Marion’s leaving?

5. What does Ellie wonder about Anne's reaction to the jogger in the park?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do various family members tell Jeremiah about his blackness?

2. What is Carlton's response to Miah when asked about being biracial?

3. How does Jeremiah feel about his time in history class with Ellie?

4. How does Jeremiah feel now that his parents are separated?

5. How does Peter treat Jeremiah?

6. How do Jeremiah and his Brooklyn friends deal with racial issues?

7. How does Jeremiah feel regarding his new Black teammates?

8. What old routine do Ellie and her father discuss?

9. Why does Anne call Ellie?

10. How does Jeremiah reveal his intelligence in his first day in history class?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The parents of the main characters have different reactions towards the two main characters having love interests. What are their various reactions? Should Ellie and Jeremiah be concerned to introduce each other to their families? Why or why not? Do the reactions of the parents surprise you? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The author makes a point of frequently pointing out the fact that Ellie is a secular Jew. What is the reason for this? What is the significance of Ellie’s Star of David necklace, especially knowing she is not very religious? How might her ancestral connection with Judaism help her relate to Miah and his plight as a Black man?

Essay Topic 3

Although If You Come Softly was published in 1998, how is it relevant to today? What elements of this book are timeless? How might this book stand the test of time? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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